A study on the growth curve of and maximum profit from layer-type cockerel chicks

Attacks by adult stages of the soft tick Argas (Argas) neghmei (Acari: Argasidae) on inhabitants of the High Andean plateau of Argentina are reported. This is the first local report of this species, which was previously found in the north of Chile. Taxonomic differences between A. (A.) neghmei and other neotropical and exotic species of the genus are underlined. The status of the knowledge about the Argentine argasid fauna is briefly described.     

Mathematical foundations for error estimation in numericalsolutions of integral equations in electromagnetics

The problem of error estimation in the numerical solution of integral equations that arise in electromagnetics is addressed. The direct method (Green's theorem or field approach) and the indirect method (layer ansatz or source approach) lead to well-known integral equations both of the first kind [electric field integral equations (EFIE)] and the second kind [magnetic field integral equations (MFIE)]. These equations are analyzed systematically in terms of the mapping properties of the integral operators. It is shown how the assumption that field quantities have finite energy leads naturally to describing the mapping properties in appropriate Sobolev spaces. These function spaces are demystified through simple examples which also are used to demonstrate the importance of knowing in which space the given data lives and in which space the solution should be sought. It is further shown how the method of moments (or Galerkin method) is formulated in these function spaces and how residual error can be used to estimate actual error in these spaces. The condition number of all of the impedance matrices that result from discretizing the integral equations, including first kind equations, is shown to be bounded when the elements are computed appropriately. Finally, the consequences of carrying out all computations in the space of square integrable functions, a particularly friendly Sobolev space, are explained     

Top-down logic design with pass-transistor cells and efficientsynthesiser

A pass-transistor based cell library containing only two types of cells is designed and a corresponding logic/circuit synthesiser developed for logic mapping of any combinational circuit. The proposed design has better performance than the recently proposed lean integration with pass transistors (LEAP) cell library. Furthermore, the modified LEAP cell library can be easily migrated to a new process technology due to the smaller number of cells     

Rat mature sympathetic neurones derive neurotrophin 3 from peripheral effector tissues

In a previous study we have demonstrated that endogenous neurotrophin 3 (NT3) is required for the survival of most sympathetic neurones in postnatal rats. However, the mechanisms underlying the action of NT3 on sympathetic neurones is not known. Neither is it understood whether NT3 is retrogradely transported from peripheral tissues or acts locally in an autocrine fashion. In the present study, NT3-mRNA was quantified in sympathetic effector tissues and NT3 protein was localized in intact and lesioned sympathetic nerves in rats. NT3-mRNA is expressed and developmentally regulated in many effector tissues including mesenteric arteries, salivary gland, heart and kidney but hardly detectable in the superior cervical ganglia of adult animals. The majority of sympathetic neurones express immunoreactivity for TrkA and TrkC in both neonatal and adult rats. Sympathetic somata are normally immunoreactive for NT3, but the immunoreactivity is abolished by systemic administration of NT3 antibodies or axotomy of postganglionic neurones, suggesting an accumulation of NT3 from extraneuronal sources. Furthermore, the detection of NT3-immunoreactivity in the internal carotid nerve as early as 3 h following a compression and only on the distal side indicates endogenous NT3 is retrogradely transported by sympathetic neurones. These studies provide evidence indicating that NT3, like nerve growth factor, is an effector tissue-derived neurotrophic factor for sympathetic neurones both during development and in the adult animal. Thus, we have provided a clear example that one type of neurone derives, through a retrograde transport mechanism, two neurotrophic factors simultaneously from its peripheral effector tissues.     

Identification of the DRB1*1313 allele in a sibling pair

Amines such as dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine were analysed in the brain regions of O.mossambicus exposed to quinalphos, phenthoate and their combination for 96 hr. The three types of treatments significantly (P < 0.05) altered the amines level at various intervals in the brain regions.     

The crystal structure of an Fe-superoxide dismutase from the hyperthermophile Aquifex pyrophilus at 1.9 A resolution: structural basis for thermostability

The incidence of stress fractures is increasing among competitive and recreational athletes as well as among children and the elderly. By understanding the continuum of bone's response to stress and maintaining an appropriate index of suspicion, the health care provider can diagnose these injuries appropriately. An accurate history and examination is essential and will differentiate stress fractures from other stress reactions. The more common stress fractures are discussed.     

Pleiotrophin stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation in NIH 3T3 and NB41A3 cells

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a heparin-binding cytokine that functions as a neurite outgrowth promoting and mitogenic activity in vitro. PTN is highly conserved and its gene is widely expressed in mammalian tissues during development, suggesting important roles of PTN in vivo. However, the mechanisms by which PTN mediates its functional activities are unknown. We now report that an approximately 200 kDa (p200) protein is phosphorylated (pp200) in PTN stimulated NIH 3T3 and NB41A3 cells five minutes after stimulation with PTN. Phosphorylation is maximum at 15 minutes and is PTN concentration dependent. pp200 is recognized by antiphosphotyrosine antibodies and contains both phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine by phosphoamino acid analysis. The results suggest that PTN functions in part through activation of protein kinase(s) in NIH 3T3 and NB41A3 cells.     

Combination cytotoxic effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and 5-fluorouracil with and without leucovorin against human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Both cisplatin (CDDP) and leucovorin (LV) have been shown to enhance cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) against murine and human neoplasms by increasing intracellular reduced folate concentrations. We were interested in their use in a combination to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth and therefore conducted an in vitro study to investigate the cytotoxic activities of combinations of CDDP plus FUra, with and without LV (20 microM), against seven NSCLC cell lines. A tetrazolium assay with application of the classical isobole method was used to test drug combinations. We found that LV enhanced FUra but not CDDP cytotoxicity and that the degree of enhancement was negatively correlated with the effect of FUra. There was an overall additive combination effect of CDDP plus FUra, although there may be synergy at higher effect levels. There was synergy to a combination of CDDP, FUra, and LV, presumably primarily related to the synergistic effects of adding LV to FUra. In summary, LV and CDDP enhanced FUra cytotoxicity in a complementary fashion and there was clear synergy of a combination of CDDP, FUra, and LV against a panel of NSCLC cell lines. Our in vitro results provide a rationale for controlled clinical studies of this three-drug regimen in patients with NSCLC.     

Delayed delivery of surviving triplet after fetal reduction and spontaneous abortion

In multiple pregnancies, survival of remaining fetuses after premature death and delivery of one fetus is uncommon. We report a case of a triplet pregnancy that was reduced to twins at the 14th gestational week and then had preterm premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine fetal death of one twin at the 17th gestational week. To save the surviving fetus, delivery of the dead fetus and ligation of the umbilical cord at the cervical level were performed. We also performed McDonald cervical cerclage to keep the placenta of the dead fetus as well as that of the surviving one in the uterine cavity. After a series of aggressive procedures, including immediate administration of tocolytic agents, and antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection and preterm labor, the surviving fetus was delivered vaginally 73 days later due to intractable uterine contractions. After a 10-week hospital stay, the infant boy, weighing 2,500 g, was discharged without any sequelae. To our knowledge, this was the longest interval between deliveries in a triplet pregnancy reported in Taiwan. With adequate intensive management, a satisfactory outcome of the fetus and mother in such cases is possible.